Arsenal Player Ratings vs Brighton: Back-to-Back Victories

Arsenal beat Brighton 1-0 in Tuesday’s Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium.

After the best win of the season against Chelsea on Boxing Day, all the elation Arsenal felt from their London derby win would be immediately forgotten about if Mikel Arteta‘s side came unstuck against the Seagulls.

It was a bright opening from the visitors without much in the way of incision. Movement across the forward line with players interchanging positions looked like setting the tone for an exciting display.

Without testing Brighton at all during that period, the hosts grew into proceedings and could easily have found themselves two goals ahead before the break. Arsenal were lucky to go into the break level.

Arsenal were vastly improved after the break, doing more in the opening five minutes than they had in the previous 45. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came closest, although it was the substitute Alexandre Lacazette whose lovely finish broke the deadlock seconds after coming on.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – 7/10 – With three of Arsenal’s Brazilian contingent absent, Leno thought to take it upon himself to add some flair into the game, a heart in the mouth moment in that first half. Had to be reactive in the box for a few Brighton efforts and dealt with them well.

Héctor Bellerín (RB) – 5/10 – This wasn’t the Chelsea Bellerin, more the Aston Villa Bellerin. He looked questionable at Brighton’s set-pieces (who tells him to mark Dan Burn?) and he offered very little in an attacking sense. At the back, there were some weak challenges and sloppy moments, although he improved after the break and made some crucial recovery tackles.

Rob Holding (CB) – 6/10 – Couple of hairy moments during the game but dealt with set-pieces fairly well, an area of his game that has improved a lot this season. Very good defending high crosses.

Pablo Marí (CB) – 7/10 – Started looking down the line much more after the break, seeking the runs of the wingers on the left and releasing the ball with greater urgency – much like the whole team. Was a good showing from Mari who is proving himself to be decent enough backup for Gabriel. Shame he isn’t right footed.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 6/10 – Wasn’t able to influence the game as much as he had done against Chelsea, with less bombarding runs down the left flank. Still, he rarely made any errors of note and helped out in advanced areas in the second half.